From Fisherman to Bobsledder: Shane Pitter's Unique Olympic Journey
Shane Pitter, a 26-year-old fisherman from Jamaica, is making waves in the world of bobsledding. While most people would have been fishing on a sunny day in Jamaica, Pitter was competing in the Milan Cortina Games. His journey from the sea to the ice is nothing short of remarkable.
A Story of Passion and Dedication
Pitter's story is one of passion and dedication. He has gained recognition for his fishing videos, but his true talent lies in bobsledding. Despite being a relatively new sport for Jamaica, Pitter and his team are making strides.
"We've got a lot of young athletes on the team and coming on the team. It's still a development stage. Even though we are young athletes, we are the best athletes Jamaica ever had in bobsled."
The Legacy of the Jamaican Bobsled Team
The Jamaican bobsled team has a rich history, dating back to the 1988 Calgary Olympics, which inspired the movie "Cool Runnings." However, the team has never finished better than 14th in an Olympic race.
- Pitter and his teammate Junior Harris were 23rd out of 26 sleds in the first two heats of the two-man race.
- Mica Moore, a former British bobsledder, was 15th in the women's monobob event.
Funding Challenges
Funding is a significant challenge for the team. Moore spent over 40,000 pounds to fund her Olympic season due to lack of available funding. Despite the financial hurdles, the team remains determined.
"It's a very expensive sport, and that's me doing the season on a cheap budget. We've got the heart and we've got the drive, and as long as you've got that, you make things happen."
Pitter's Potential
Pitter's potential is evident. He has won 10 medals this season on the North American Cup circuit, with eight of them gold. Chris Stokes, the Jamaica bobsled federation president, believes Pitter might be the best young pilot they've had.
- Pitter's upper-body strength, gained from spear fishing, gives him an edge in the sport.
A Feel-Good Story
The Jamaican team's presence at the Winter Olympics is a feel-good story. They recently had a memorable encounter with Snoop Dogg, who spent time with the team and even enjoyed Harris's jerk chicken.
- Pitter plans to resume his fishing career and continue making fishing videos after the sliding season ends.
- He sees parallels between fishing and bobsledding, both requiring strength and precision.
A Testament to Love for the Sport
Pitter's journey is a testament to his love for the sport.
"For us, this is real life. The movie is somewhat fiction, but this is real, real life. We are the real team."
